Compactor

ABSTRACT

A trash compactor with an improved ram motor control circuit. The trash basket is shiftable in its seat under pressure of a jam and the motor circuit is responsive to such a basket shift, whereby to stop the motor and condition the ram for upward retraction. The invention is also characterized by improved interlocks between the motor controller switch actuator and the compactor door.

United States Patent [191 Enright 1 et .al.

[ 1 Nov. 5, 1974 (IOMPACTOR [75] Inventors: James H. Enright; Charles A.

Wicke, both of Racine, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Fiied: Dec. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 317,344

[52] US. Cl 100/53, 100/229 A, ZOO/61.62 [51] Int. Cl B30b 15/14 [58] Field of Search 200/61.62, 61.79, 61.8;

100/53, 229 A, 24 S, 29 S 156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,353,478 11/1967 Hopkins 100/53 Garbe et a1. ZOO/61.62 Bottas et a1 100/229 A Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or FirmJoseph P. House, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A trash compactor with an improved ram motor control circuit. The trash basket is shiftable in its seat under pressure of a jam and the motor circuit is re-' sponsive to such a basket shift, whereby to stop the motor and condition the ram for upward retraction. The invention is also characterized by improved interlocks between the motor controller switch actuator and the compactor door.

11 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENIED Ill! 5 I974 SHEEN 7 3,845,707

COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention incorporates variations and improvements over the trash compactor described in copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 177,385 filed Sept. 2, I971 and owned by the assignee of this application, now Pat. No. 3,772,984.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The motor controller switch actuator of the present invention is simpler in construction than the motor controller switch actuator shown in said copending application. The motor control circuit operates to sense jams and operate the ram motor in response thereto in a different sequence from the controller shown in said copending application. The reduction in switch actuator complexity and simplification of the guide structure for the scissors linkage for the pressure ram substantially reduces compactor costs.

In accordance with the present invention, the trash basket and its seat are mutually configured to facilitate forward sliding movement of the basket in its seat as a consequence of a jam. Forward basket movement is detected by a basket switch which disengages .from the shifted basket to interrupt the ram cycle and stop the ram motor. The basket switch can then be reset by the operator to restart the motor in reverse and withdraw the ram from the basket. When the ram is completely withdrawn, it will release an interlock with the compactor door to permit the door to be opened andthe jam cleared manually.

The motor controller switch actuator of the present invention has an improved single lever control handle which fits relatively flush with respect to the front edge of the compactor control panel, without projecting far enough forwardly thereof to present an obstruction.

The compactor door is interlocked in closed position in response to ram advancing movement. Completion of the cycle and return of theram to its withdrawn position will automatically return the single lever control handle to a neutral or intermediate position, thus signaling completion of the cycle. The basket must be fully seated to release an interlock against ram operation. In some embodiments, signal lights indicate various stages in the ram cycle.

DESCRIPTION'OF THE DRAWINGS walls of the trash basket and basket seat, and the interrelationship between the basket sensing switch and the basket. I

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross section similar to FIG. 2, but showing the basket shifted forwardly in its seat in response to a jam to disengage the basket and switch.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross section similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and illustrating the shifting of the switch on its adjustable mount in response to actuation of the reset button, whereby to restart the ram motor in its upward direction.

LII

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the basket adapted for use with the compactor of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the basket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic electric circuit diagram of the motor control circuit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical front to rear section taken through the compactor of FIG. 1 and illustrating the ram both in its withdrawn and advanced positions and showing the basket fully engaged in its seat.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the motor controller switch actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the switch actuator of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating the single lever control handle in its locked position.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the switch actuator of FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end view of the-switch actuator with its parts in position prior to starting the compacting cycle. g

FIG. 14 is a similar fragementa'ry view showing the position of the corresponding parts when the door has been closed, but prior to movement of the single lever control to its starting position. 1 FIG. l5 is a similar fragmentary view showing the position of the corresponding parts after the single lever control has been moved to its starting position.

FIG. 16 is a similar fragmentary view illustrating the position of the corresponding parts after the ram has advanced downwardly far enough to relieve its pressure on the cam follower plate.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the pressure platen, extension linkage and motor assembly shown apart from the remainder of the device, parts being broken away. 7

FIG. 18 is a view partly in plan and partly in cross section along the line 18-18 of FIG/8.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary detailed view of thesliding connection of theextension linkage to the pressure platen, this view being taken along the line l9l9 of DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied'in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

In order to facilitate comparison of the instant disclosure with the disclosure of said copending application, similar reference characters will be used for similar parts. New reference characters will be applied to improved parts.

As in said prior application, the compactor housing 40 carries a top 41 in a free-standing model and a shroud 38 to dress its external surfaces. Housing 40- is desirably supported from the floor on adjustable feet would omit top 41 and shroud 38.

The interior of the housing 40 is provided with a cavity 44 for a trash receiving container or basket 232 which is shown separately in FIGS. 5 and 6. The basket 232 is made of plastic material with flexible side walls which may yield under ram pressure. Basket 232 has a bottom wall 233 which is rearwardly tapered so that bottom rear corner 234 of the basket is somewhat narrower than the bottom front corner 235. The top rim 236 is rectangular in outline, whereas the bottom outline of the basket comprises a rearwardly tapering trapezoid. Rim 236 is desirably provided with an outwardly embossed rib 241 which fits into a housing groove 71 (FIGS. 1 and 8). A liner bag 43 which is draped into the basket has its upper margin folded over the basket rim and is snugged around the rib 241 when the basket is seated.

The side walls 237 of the basket converge downwardly and rearwardly to interconnect the rectangular top rim of the basket with its trapezoidal bottom. Front wall 238 is rectangular and rear wall 249 is trapezoidal with a downward taper.

The housing 40 is provided with a basket seat having correspondingly tapered side walls, including rearwardly and downwardly converging side walls 250 and a forwardly slanted rear wall 251. The shape of the basket seat corresponds to the shape of the basket, thus to give good support to the basket under compacting pressure of the ram. Moreover, the corresponding rearward taper of the seat and basket is such as to slightly separate the basket from its seat if the basket is not in its rearmost fully seated position. It is an important feature of the present invention to cause the basket to slide forwardly in its seat in the event of a jam, which typically occurs when a hard object becomes lodged between the front wall 238 of the basket and the ram platen 47. The jam inhibits further downward movement of the ram and a component of ram force is exerted in a forward direction on the basket to slide it forward in its seat.

In a practical embodiment of the invention in which there is a normal approximate one-eight inch spacing between the flexible side walls 237 of the basket 232 and the supporting walls 250 of the housing 40, the basket 232 will slide forwardly about one-fourth to onehalf inch during a jam. As hereinafter explained, this is sufficient basket movement to relieve the engagement between the switch actuator tab 72 which is mounted on the basket and the actuator arm 260 of basket switch 129. thus to stop ram motor 87. I

Thus the mutual configuration of the basket and its seat, in which both taper rearwardly, and the ram itself,

. comprise means for disengaging the basket and switch when the ram jams in the basket. This mutual configuration separates the basket sides from the seat sides, as shown in FIG. 4, thus reducing friction and binding therebetween and facilitating forward movement of the basket. l

As in the disclosure of said prior application, and as best shown herein in FIGS. 8, I7 and 18, the compactor is provided with a ram 47 connected by scissors type extension linkages 46 to motor 87.

The extension links 46 and pressure platen 47 are mounted within the head space 45 at the top of the housing 40 on tracks 74 which run fore and aft of the housing 40. Tracks 74 support and guide a carriage comprising four rollers 75 mounted respectively on the ends of the pintles 76 atthe upper ends of the upper scissors links 77 of lazy tong or extension linkage 46. There are two spaced parallel sets of scissors linkages 77 interpivoted on a cross pintle 78.

The ends of the scissors links 77 opposite pintles 76 are pivotally connected by pintles 81 to succeeding or tandem sets of scissors links 82, likewise arranged in parallel. Links 82 have their mid points pivotally connected on pintle 83. The far ends of said scissors links 82 are slidably connected to the pressure platen 47, as hereinafter described.

The lazy tongs or extension linkage 46 is actuated by a double reverse pitch lead screw 84 threadedly engaged in spacer tubes 85 which provide bearings for the pintles 76 of the upper scissors linkage 77, which maintain the parallel sets of scissors links 77 in spaced relation and which provides nuts for the screw 84. One end of the lead screw 84 is connected through suitable gearing in the gear box 86 to an electric motor 87. Gear box 86 is fastened to a mounting arrangement including an extension of the linkage, in the event of insufficient trash in basket 42, and cushion the end of the lazy tong extension movement. The load thus added to motor 87 V will cause the motor to slow down and centrifugal switch 97 in the motor circuit will reverse the motor 87 and withdraw the ram platen 47 from the basket 42.

The uppermost sets of spaced parallel scissors linkages 77 are interconnected by torque arms or tubes 78, 89. Spacer or torque arm or tube 89 is rigidly con nected by welds 132 to the inside faces of the innermost links 77. Tube 89 is hollow. Torque arm or tube 78 extends through the hollow of tube 89, to turn thereon, and is welded near both ends at 133 to the outer faces of the outermost links 77.

The respective torque tubes or arms 78, 89 transmit unbalanced forces between corresponding links at opposite sides of the scissors extension mechanism to keep the links in alignment and prevent cocking of the spacer nuts 85. Accordingly, twisting forces are balanced by the torque tubes or arms 78, 89 and relieve the screw 84 thereof.

The lower ends of scissors links 82 are provided with wheels 98 at the ends of axles 100. The wheels 98 ride or slide freely on tracks 99 formed on the edges of a plate to which the pan-shaped pressure platen 47 is releasably attached. The plate 90 and platen 47 are linked to extension linkage by a U-shaped link 101 which has a bight portion pivotally connected to the plate 90 in a tubular eye 102 and has out-turned ends 130 pivotally connected to the links 82 in bearing apertures 131.

Wheels 98 and the parallelogram motion of the extension linkage 46 keep the platen 47 horizontal. Link 101 keeps the platen 47 substantially centered in basket 232.

Platen 47 is desirably provided. around its periphery with a rubber sealing flap 103, the rear end of which is formed as a flexible apron 104 connected by means of a series of small springs 105 to a rear wall panel 106 of the housing 40. As shown in FIG. 8, the apron 104 will drape-itself into the basket 232 as the platen 47 descends, thus preventing trash in the basket from climbing out of the basket and overflowing its rim 236. Moreover, the rubber seal 103 acts as a wiper to wipe down the sides of the basket and keep the trash therein as the pressure platen 47 enters the basket.

As in said prior application, the motor 87 is controlled by a motor controller including a switch actuator mounted in a control box 150. The switches of the actuator actuate the motor 87 in a cycle which includes various interlocks and safety features.

The motor circuit'is indicated in FIG. 7, The motor start-stop switch 170 and paired reversing switches 171, 172 typically comprise microswitches having actuatingbuttons respectively actuated by leaf blades or arms 173, 174, 175, each of which is anchored at corresponding ends upon a block 176 (FIG. 12).

The actuating buttons of switches 170, 171 and 172 are internally spring biased to project the buttons outwardly, in which position the switches are normally closed or normally open, as indicated in FIG. 7. The leaf arms 173, 174, 175 can be actuated to press the buttons inwardly against their spring bias, in which event the respective switches will be thrown to their opposite positions. When the leaf arms 173, 174, 175 are actuated to release pressure on the buttons, they will return to their normal positions.

The leaf arms 173, 174, 175 are subject to the pressure of several levers, tabs, etc., which respond to various forces all of which are integrated andinter-related to produce the desired sequential actuation of the switches 170, 171, 172 for proper operation of the motor 87 andfor safety reasons. Fundamentally, motor 87 will be energized whenever the pressure of leaf arm 173 is relievedfrom the actuating button of the startstop switch 170. Switch 170 will then move to its normally closed position and energize the motor circuit, assuming however that basket switch 129 is also closed.

Moreover, the centrifugally actuated motor start switch 97 must also be closed to start the motor 87 through its start winding 149. Switch 97 will normally be closed when the motor is at rest or whenever the motor slows down from its normal running speed as a consequence of the imposition of heavy loads thereon. When running at normal running speeds the conventional centrifugal actuator therefor will cause switch 97 to open. However, this will not stop the motor which will then be energized directly through its main winding 158. Motor 87 will be de-energized whenever the actuator button for switch 170 is subject to the pressure of leaf arm 173, thus to open switch 170.

The direction of motor operation depends upon the position of the reversing switches 171, 172. Reversing switches 171, 172 are single pole, double throw switches interconnected by bridge 183 to function as a double pole, double throw switch. When the leaf arms 174, 175 are pressed against the button actuators for the switches 171, 172, the motor 87 will be conditioned to operate in a direction to advance the ram toward basket 232 when switch 170 is closed to energize the starting circuit. After the motor is up to speed and runs on its main winding 158 and centrifugal switch 97 opens, the reversing switches 171, 172 can be reversed in position without affecting the continued operation of the motor 87 to drive the ram downwardly. However,

if in the course of such movement switch is opened, thus to stop motor 87 and cause centrifugal switch 97 to close, and meanwhile reversing switches 171, 172 have been actuated, then the next actuation of leaf arm 173 to close switch 170 will start the motor in reverse, through its start winding 149, thus towith draw the ram platen 47 toward the top of the housing 40.

The various instrumentalities which act upon the leaf blades 173, 174, 175 include a double armed blade actuator 178 directly responsive to the movement of the ram platen 47. One arm" 179 of actuator 178 has a cam follower plate or lever 177. Arm 179 pivots about pintle 181 and carries a cam 182 adapted to press against a bridgeplate 183 which ties together the otherwise free ends of the leaf arms 174, 175 which actuate the reversing switches 171, 172. Accordingly, whenever the lever 177 is swung clockwise to its position shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, both leaf arms 174, 175 will press the spring biased actuator buttons of switches 1'71, 172 inwardly and switches 171, 172 will be actuated to reverse the polarity of the circuit to the start winding 149.

Clock spring 184 about pintle 181 biases arm 179 and lever 177 counterclockwise toward its position shown in FIG. 16. In this position the polarity of switches 171, 172 is reversed, as aforesaid.

Lever 177 is in the path of vertical movement of front cross member 81 of the extension linkage 46 for the ram plate 47. Accordingly, as illusted in FIG. 8, when the extension linkage is in its fully retracted position at the top of the housing 40, lever 177 will-be engaged by the cross member 81, thus to swing the lever 177 clockwise as shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and thus actuate the reversing switches 171, 172. However, when the extension linkages have dropped somewhat as a consequence of energization of the motor 87 to drive the ram downwardly, thus to relieve the pressure of the cross member 81 from the lever 177, the clock spring 184 will swing the lever 177 to its position shown inFIG. 1'6 and switches 171, 172 will reverse'polarity.

Arm 179 carries a second swing arm or lever 18S swingable about the same pintle 181 and also subject to the pressure of clock spring 184, and which is further subject to the opposite pressure of a compression coil spring 186 between lever 177 and plate 206 to bias arm away from lever 177 and toward its engagement with clock spring 184. Second arm 185 carries a cam 190 which will press against the uppermost leaf ar'm 173 which actuates motor start-stop switch 170. Accordingly, in the full line position of the, ram and extension linkages 46 shown in FIG. 8, the actuation of cam lever 177 by the ram cross piece 81 will not only actuate the reversing switch leaf arms 174, 175 but will also actuate the start-stop switch leaf arm 173, as is illustrated in FIG. 13. In this position of the parts lever arm 185 is subject to being moved counterclockwise away from pressure engagement with leaf arm 173 against the bias of its spring 186. I

Because of the foregoing structure, the start-stop switch 170 will be actuated into circuit breaking position every time the ramassembly moves upwardly into its completely retracted position, thus to stop motor 87 at the conclusion of the compacting cycle.

While in the apparatus of said copending application the main start-stop switch- 170 is made responsive to jams by reason of movement of the scissors linkages under pressure of a jam, thus to actuate switch 170 and automatically reverse motor 87 as just described, the present controller utilizes basket sensing switch 129 for jam sensing purposes and controls the motor in response thereto. By thus transferring jam sensing functions from the switch 170 to the basket switch 129, considerable simplicity can be achieved in the construction of the compactor and of the control mechanism. With the present arrangement, it is no longer necessary to provide the scissors linkage guides 111, 112

shown in FIG. of the copending application, which require the scissors linkages to move on a closely controlled vertical path.

lnasmuch as switches 170, 129 are in series, as shown in FIG. 7, either of such switches will equally effectively cause reversal of the motor 87. Accordingly, the present invention utilizes switch 129 to sense a jam with corresponding advantages of simplicity and cost reduction in the mechanism utilized to reverse motor 87'.

For the purpose of the present invention, basket sensing switch 129 is provided with a movable or swingable mounting plate 252 best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 8. Plate 252 is swingable on pintle 253 from a bracket 254 mounted on the housing 40. The swing plate 252 is biased rearwardly to its position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by a spring 255. Swing plate 252 extends laterally to the side of the basket 232 and is mechanically connected by a link or push rod 256 to a reset push button 257 accessible from the front of the compactor, as shown in FIG. I. An alternate arrangement. would be for push button 257 to actuate a switch connected electrically to a solenoid connected to plate 252.

Switch 129 has a feeler arm 260 which engages the tab 72 on basket 232 when the basket is fully engaged in its seat 250, 251, as shown in FIG. 2. However, when the basket moves forwardly as during a jam, as hereinbefore described, tab 72 will also move forwardly and disengage from feeler arm 260 of switch 129 (FIG. 3), thus releasing switch 129 to move to its normally open position as shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the circuit to the motor 87 will be broken and the motor will stop. The operator may now retract the ram as a preliminary to clearing the jam by pressing reset button 257 which is exposed at the front of the compactor below the bottom of door 261. Switch 129 will then be swing on its swing plate 252 to its position shown in FIG. 4, where the feeler arm 260 re-engages the tab 72, thus to close switch 129 and restart the motor. As hereinbefore explained, the reversing switches 171, 172 have previously been actuated in response to ram advancing movement so that when the motor 87 is restarted the ram will move upwardly and will retract into the head space 45 of the compactor. As soon as the ram reaches its uppermost position where its cross piece 81 contacts and swings lever 177 upwardly, motor control switch 170 will open and again turn off motor 87 and bring the ram to a stop. At this point the door 261 can be opned and the jam cleared in preparation for a succeeding cycle.

The switch actuating mechanism of the present invention also incorporates novel interlocks. The first interlock requires the door 261 to be closed as a preliminary to actuation of the ram compacting cycle. While the switch actuating mechanism of said copending application also was interlocked with the door, the door interlock of the prior application involved a mechanism which latched the single lever control handle against starting motion. In the apparatus of the present inven tion, the interlock acts directly upon the blade 173 of the main start-stop switch 170 and the single lever control handle 262 is free to be moved at all times (except when locked by key lock 301 even though the mechanism may nevertheless be interlocked against actuation. This provides a smoother control sequence and reduces the incidence of control lever breakage.

The switch actuating mechanism of the present invention utilizes a single lever control illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. It comprises an arcuately shaped handle or knob 262 supported by paired legs 263 on a base plate 264 swingably mounted on the upper plate 265 of i switch box by pintle 266. The pintle 266 has a head 267 by which a resilient detent arm 268 and washer 269 are also secured. Upper control box plate 265 is provided with an elongated detent socket 272 and a spaced detent dimple 273. Base plate 264 of the single lever control handle is provided with a forwardly projecting tab 274 having an opening 275 which is adapted to sweep over the socket 272 and dimple 273 in the course of swinging the handle 262 about its pintle 266.

Detent arm 268 is provided with depending detent or tang 276 which projects through the opening 275 of tab 274 and ratchets into and out of the depressions 272, 273 toselecti'vely and impositively retain the knob in its various swingable positions.

As viewed in FIG. 9, when the handle 262 is swung clockwise in the direction of arrow 277, it will move toward stop position, whereas if it is swung counterclockwise in the direction of arrow 278, it will move toward start position.

When swung into its stop position, detent tang 276 will engage in dimple depression, 273. In. either its start position or in its intermediate or neutral position, as illustrated in FIG. 9, tang 274 will engage in elongated socket depression 272.

The base plate 264 of handle 262 carries a depending tab 279 which depends from base plate 264 only far enough to engage the blade 173 for main stop-start switch 170. The functioning of the handle 262 in the switch sequence will be hereinafter described.

The door interlock comprises a lever 282 pivotally mounted on the lower plate 283 of control box 150 by pintle 284, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12. Arm 282 has a depending door striker receiving tab 285. Lever 282 extends beyond the tab 285 in the serpentine configuration illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12 and has at its end a downwardly bent, rearwardly projecting arm 286, which terminates in an upwardly projecting arm 287 at the upper end of which projects forwardly in the shape of aswitch actuating finger 288. A spring 289 interconnects the end of the lever 282 to a convenient attachement point on a bottom lug 292 on bottom plate 283, thus to bias the finger 288 toward engagement with actuator blade 173 for start-stop switch 170.. Accordingly, if there is no pressure on tab 284 which would counter spring 289, this interlock mechanism will actuate switch to its open position and deenergize motor 87.

As shown in FIG. 13, when door 261 is open, th foregoing interlock mechanism functions to hold switch 170 open and prevent operation of the motor and ram.

However, door 261 is provided with a striker tab 293 (FIG. 1) which is aligned with a slot 294 in the front panel 295 of the housing 40. This striker tab 293 also aligns with the pad 285 on lever 282. Accordingly, when the door 261 is closed, its striker tab 293 will engage pad 285, as shown in FIG. 14, thus forcing the lever 282 to swing against the bias of its spring 289 and withdraw the switch actuator finger 288 from engagement with the actuator blade 172 for switch 170. Accordingly, closure of door 261 releases this interlock and conditions switch 170 for actuation at the appropriate time in the cycle.

. In its condition illustrated in F [G 14, however, blade 173 is held in its depressed position both by the switch actuator tab 190 on the ram operated lever 178, which is swung clockwise as shown in FIG. 13 and 14 by the cross piece 81 on the ram, and by the depending tab 279 on the single lever control handle 262. Accordingly, although the door is now closed, the switch 170 remains open.

To start the compacting cycle, knob 262 must be swung in the direction of start arrow 278 (FIG. 9). The position of the parts after this motion is illustrated in FIG. 15. Tab 279 has now swung away from contact with the switch actuator blade 173 and'carries with it the tab 190 on arm 185 mounted on actuator lever 178. As hereinbefore described, the arm 190 moves independently of the lever 179, subject only to the pressure of coil spring 186. As shown in FIG. 15, the swinging motion of the single lever control handle 262 causes the arm 190 to compress spring 186, whereupon both the lever 190 and the tab 279 are swung away from the blade 173 and the internal bias of the button for switch 170 now moves the switch 170 to its normally closed position of FIG. 7, thus energizing motor 87 and starting the ram to move downwardly in its advancing cycle.

Downward movement of the ram will move the cross piece 81 downwardly, for example, to its position shown in FIG. 16, whereupon clock spring 184 will then rotate the actuator 178 counterclockwise to its position shown in FIG. 16, in which both the tab 288 and the lever 190 are separated from the switch actuator blade 173. At the same time, as hereinbefore explained, the cam button 182 mounted on the actuator 178 swings away from the bridge 183 interconnecting blades 174, 175 of the reversing switches172, 171 and these switches will then move to their reverse positions so that upon the next acutation of switch 170 the motor will reverse.

In accordance with the present invention, the lever 179 of the acutator 178 is provided with a door locking extension arm 294 which has a locking finger 295 which will enter socket hole 296 on the striker arm 293 of the door 261. Accordingly, once the ram moves down the door may not be opened because it is latched in the position shown in FIG. 16. The striker tab 293 thus performs both the functions of maintaining pressure on the pad 285, to keep switch 170 closed, and is engaged by the latching finger 295 of the ram actuated actuator 178 to keep the door closed.

Upon return of the ram to its uppermost position upon completion of the cycle, cross member 81 on the ram mechanism will re-engage the lever 177 of actuator 178 to restore it to its position shown in FIG. 14, whereupon lever 190 re-engages the blade actuator 173 and opens switch 170 to stop motor 87. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 9, the pad 206 on actuator 178 engages the tab 279 on the single lever control to pivot the lever 262 about its pintle 266 and move it to its intermediate or centered position shown in FIG. 9, thus to signal the operator that the cycle is complete. Detent tang 276 simply slides in the elongated socket depression 272 to its centered position without offering any substantial resistance to this centering motion of the handle 262.

Handle 262 is also provided with a locking slot 297 which aligns with the tumbler 298 on the key lock 301 mounted in the front wall 305 of the housing 40. Accordingly, when key lock 301 is actuated, the knob 262 can be locked in its stop position in which tab 279 closes blade actuator 173 against switch 170 to prevent initiation of the ram cycle.

The compactor shown in said copending application has a double door. Such a double door can also be utilized on the compactor disclosed herein. However, the

door 261 illustrated herein is a single door with a hol-' low interior or pocket 302 (FIG. 8), with a dispensing slot 303 through which folded bags 43 may be stored and withdrawn one at a time for lining the basket 232.

Door 261 is hung selectively at the left or right side of the front panel 295 of the compactor. For this purpose, angle brackets 304 are provided. These brackets and the door 261 can be shifted between'the alternate positions indicated in full and broken lines in FIG. 1, thus to hang the door from either side of the door opening, for left or right hand swinging of the door. The top of the door 261 has a full length handle flange 308 by which it may be grasped by the operator anywhere along its width.

FIG. 20 illustrates anoptional feature of the compactor in which signal lights 311 (green), 312 (red) and 313 (amber) are incorporated in the circuit to signal the mode of operation-of the compactor. These signal lights are mounted on the front central panel 305 of the compactor as shown'in FIG. 1.

When the compactor is in its ram retracted mode in which the door can be opened to load trash into the compactor, the green lamp 311 will be energized to signal that the unit is ready to accept trash. Green lamp 311 is energized because basket switch 129 is closed to its broken line position in FIG. 20 by pressure of the basket 232 and switch 314 is in its full line position of FIG. 20. Switch 314 (FIGS. 8 and 18) is mounted to be actuated by tubular nut of scissors linkage 46. When the ram is fully retracted, nut 85 engages the actuator for switch 314 to throw it to full line position in FIG. 20. When the ram advances, nut 85 disengages from the actuator for switch 314 which then moves to its broken line normally closed position in FIG. 20. When the compactor is in its ram retracted mode, switch is also in its full line open position so that the ram motor is de-energized.

When the compactor is in its ram operating mode in which the door is locked closed and the ram is operating, the red lamp 312 will be energized to signal that the compactor is locked and operating. Red lamp 312 is energized (and green lamp 311 extinguished) because switch 314 will move from its full line to its broken line position in FIG. 20 whenthe ram advances and removes the pressure of tubular nut 85 from the switch actuator, as previously explained.

When the compactor is in its cycle interrupted mode, during a jam, amber lamp 313 will be energized to signal that the cycle has been interrupted and that the reset button 257 must be actuated as a preliminary to clearing a jam. Lamp 313 is energized (and red lamp switch 97, which will reverse the motor 87 when the ram is fully extended. Switch 3.15 is mounted as shown in FIG. 8 in the path of tubular nut 85.

We claim:

l. A trash compactor having a basket seat, a basket in said seat, a ram movable toward and away from the basket, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a motor switch engaged by the basket when it is fully seated, and means including said ram for disengaging the basket and switch when the ram jams in the basket, whereby to stop the motor, said means comprising means for moving said basket in its seat during a jam, thus to disengage the basket from the switch, said seat and basket having corresponding tapered sides, movement of the basket separating the basket sides from the seat sides to facilitate such movement.

2. A trash compactor having a basket seat, a basket in said seat, a ram movable toward and away from the basket, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a motor switch engaged by the basket when it is fully seated, and means including said ram for disengaging the basket and switch when the ram jamsin the basket, whereby to stop the motor, in combination with reset means to actuate said switch after the motor is stopped, thus to restart the motor.

3. The trash compactor of claim 2 in which the motor control includes motor reversing means effective on actuation of the reset means, whereby to withdraw the ram from the basket and relieve the jam.

4. The trash compactor of claim 2 in combination with a shiftable mount for the switch, said reset means comprising means to shift said mount and re-engage the switch with the basket.

5. The trash compactor of claim 4 in which the seat and basket has corresponding tapered sides, movement of the basket separating the basket sides from the seat sides to facilitate such movement.

6. In a trash compactor having a ram, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a switch, a manually controlled switch actuator for said switch, a ram controlled switch actuator for said switch, a door, the improvement comprising a switch latch for latching said switch against actuation, and means responsive to closure of said door to release said switch latch, thus to condition said switch for actuation by said manually controlled switch actuator and said ram controlled switch actuator.

7. The improvement of claim 6 in which said means comprises a striker tab on the door, said switch latch having a lever arm in the path of said striker tab,

whereby to delatch said switch when the door is closed.

8. The improvement of claim 7 in which the ram controlled switch actuator has means responsive to ram movement to enage said door to secure the door against opening while the ram is operating.

9. The improvement of claim 8 in which the lastmentioned means comprises means for anchoring said striker tab, thus to both secure the door and delatch the switch.

10. In a trash compactor having a ram, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a switch, a manually controlled swing lever switch actuator swingable be-- tween various positions including a stop position for locking the switch in open position, a start position for releasing said switch and an intermediate position, a ram controlled switch actuator, and mechanism for sequentia'lly subjecting said switch to said actuators in a compacting cycle including ram advance and ram withdrawal, said ram controlled switch actuator comprising means to actuate said switch to stop said motor at the conclusion of one cycle and to concurrently swing said swing lever to its intermediate position to signal said conclusion.

11. The trash compactor of claim 10 in which said swing lever has a handle with a slot, and a key operated latch receivable through said slot to lock the handle with the lever in its stop position. 

1. A trash compactor having a basket seat, a basket in said seat, a ram movable toward and away from the basket, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a motor switch engaged by the basket when it is fully seated, and means including said ram for disengaging the basket and switch when the ram jams in the basket, whereby to stop the motor, said means comprising means for moving said basket in its seat during a jam, thus to disengage the basket from the switch, said seat and basket having corresponding tapered sides, movement of the basket separating the basket sides from the seat sides to facilitate such movement.
 2. A trash compactor having a basket seat, a basket in said seat, a ram movable toward and away from the basket, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a motor switch engaged by the basket when it is fully seated, and means including said ram for disengaging the basket and switch when the ram jams in the basket, whereby to stop the motor, in combination with reset means to actuate said switch after the motor is stopped, thus to restart the motor.
 3. The trash compactor of claim 2 in which the motor control includes motor reversing means effective on actuation of the reset means, whereby to withdraw the ram from the basket and relieve the jam.
 4. The trash compactor of claim 2 in combination with a shiftable mount for the switch, said reset means comprising means to shift said mount and re-engage the switch with the basket.
 5. The trash compactor of claim 4 in which the seat and basket has corresponding tapered sides, movement of the basket separating the basket sides from the seat sides to facilitate such movement.
 6. In a trash compactor having a ram, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a switch, a manually controlled switch actuator for said switch, a ram controlled switch actuator for said switch, a door, the improvement comprising a switch latch for latching said switch against actuation, and means responsive to closure of said door to release said switch latch, thus to condition said switch for actuation by said manually controlled switch actuator and said ram controlled switch actuator.
 7. The improvement of claim 6 in which said means comprises a striker tab on the door, said switch latch having a lever arm in the path of said striker tab, whereby to delatch said switch when the door is closed.
 8. The improvement of claim 7 in which the ram controlled switch actuator has means responsive to ram movement to enage said door to secure the door against opening while the ram is operating.
 9. The improvement of claim 8 in which the last-mentioned means comprises means for anchoring said striker tab, thus to both secure the door and delatch the switch.
 10. In a trash compactor having a ram, a motor for the ram, a motor control including a switch, a manually controlled swing lever switch actuator swingable between various positions including a stop position for locking the switch in open position, a start position for releasing said switch and an intermediate position, a ram controlled switch actuator, and mechanism for sequentially subjecting said switch to said actuators in a compacting cycle including ram advance and ram withdrawal, said ram controlled switch actuator comprising means to actuate said switch to stop said motor at the conclusion of one cycle and to concurrently swing said swing lever to its intermediate position to signal said conclusion.
 11. The trash compactor of claim 10 in which said swing lever has a handle with a slot, and a key operated latch receivable through said slot to lock the handle with the lever in its stop position. 